Tacitus: The Histories, Volumes I and II eBook

After some such speech as this he urged them courteously
to hurry 48 away and not to exasperate the victor
by their hesitation. To each man’s age
and position he paid due regard, using his authority
with the young and persuasion with his elders, while
his quiet looks and firm speech helped to control
their ill-timed tears. He gave orders for boats
and carriages to be provided for their departure.
All petitions and letters containing any compliments
to himself, or marked insults to Vitellius, he destroyed,
and distributed his money carefully, not like a man
at the point of death. He then actually tried
to comfort the sorrowful fears of his nephew, Salvius
Cocceianus,[319] by praising his attachment and chiding
his alarm. ’Do you imagine,’ he said,
’that Vitellius will be so hard-hearted as not
to show me some gratitude for saving his whole household?
By promptly putting an end to myself, I deserve to
earn some mercy for my family. For it is not
in blank despair, but with my army clamouring for
battle, that I determine to save my country from the
last calamities. I have won enough fame for myself
and ennoblement for my posterity; for, after the line
of the Julians, Claudians, Servians,[320] I have been
the first to bring the principate into a new family.
So rouse yourself and go on with your life. Never
forget that Otho was your uncle, yet keep your remembrance
within bounds.’

After this he made them all retire and rested for
a while. But his 49 last reflections were
interrupted by a sudden disturbance and the news of
a mutinous outbreak among the troops. They were
threatening to kill all those who were leaving, and
turned with especial violence against Verginius,[321]
whose house was in a state of siege. Otho rebuked
the ringleaders and returned, consenting to receive
the adieux of those who were going, until it was time
for them to depart in safety. As the day deepened
into evening he quenched his thirst with a drink of
iced water. Two daggers were brought to him and,
after trying them both, he put one under his pillow.
Being assured on inquiry that his friends had started,
he spent a peaceful night, not, it is said, without
sleep. At break of day[322] he fell upon his dagger.
Hearing his dying groan, his slaves and freedmen entered
with Plotius Firmus, the Prefect of the Guards, and
found a single wound in his breast. The funeral
was hurried forward out of respect for his own earnest
entreaties, for he had been afraid his head might be
cut off and subjected to outrage. The Guard carried
the body, sounding his praises with tears in their
eyes, and covering his hands and wounded breast with
kisses. Some of the soldiers killed themselves
beside the pyre, not because they had harmed Vitellius
or feared reprisals, but from love of their emperor,
and to follow his noble example. Similar suicides
became common afterwards at Bedriacum and Placentia,
and in other encampments.[323] An inconspicuous tomb
was built for Otho, as being less likely to be disturbed:
and thus he ended his life in his thirty-seventh year.